§ MR. SLOANI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord - Lieutenant of Ireland whether be is aware that the staff of medical attendants in Belfast was reduced from five to four, while the strength of the Belfast Constabulary has substantially increased; will he state how many of the four medical attendants reside within their districts; whether he is aware that in Cork City the police medical attendant for the northern portion of the city lives on the south side, and the medical attendant for the south side lives on the north side; will he say if the surgeon to the force exercises any supervision over the medical attendants to the Royal Irish Constabulary all over Ireland; and, seeing that the police themselves pay these attendants a gross sum of about £10,000 a year out of their salaries, whether he will arrange that they should have some voice in their selection.
§ MR. BIRRELLIn 1904 the number of medical attendants upon the police in Belfast was reduced from five to four, upon a redistribution of stations in the city. Formerly there were but two medical attendants in Belfast. Three out of the four reside within their districts. In the remaining case this is not possible. The fact as to the places of residence of the medical attendants for Cork is as 3tated in the Question. The surgeon to the force, who is attached to the depot, does not exercise supervision over the medical attendants throughout the country. The cost of medical attendance on the constabulary is not provided by the men, but is borne on the Votes. In the circumstances there do not appear to be any grounds for giving the men a voice in the selection of the medical attendants.
§ MR. SLOANIs it a fact that at least £10,000 are paid out of wages by these men in addition to what is given in the Vote?
§ MR. BIRRELLThat may be so.
§ MR. SLOANIf it is so, and if £10,000 are paid, will the right hon. Gentleman consider the possibility of giving the men some voice in the appointment of doctors?
§ MR. BIRRELLI will look into it.